Penguin Random House New Zealand
Award for Best Illustrated Book 2026
Finalist
Designers: Shaun Naufahu & Giordano Zatta (Alt Group)
Title: Sio fakaTonga ‘ae ‘Aati fakaTonga: Tongan Views of Tongan Arts
Publisher: Kula-ʻUli Publishing
Format: 275 x 195 mm, 300pp, fully-cased, section-sewn. Black cloth hardcover with significant red-foil coverage across front, back, and spine.
Typography: Herbik Regular, by Daniel Veneklaas
The book is produced in two spot colours, the red (PMS 3517 U) and brown (PMS 4659 U). The brown is utilised as a lighter alternative to a solid K black, as to maintain an ideal and pleasant grey value throughout.
Publisher’s Brief:
“An appropriate vessel which affirms the mana and authority of the text; the collective effort, the depth of knowledge, and the precedent of this as the first text on Tongan art from a Tongan perspective.
A format which provides a pleasant reading experience, mindful of an extensive body text and running footnotes, but whose scale is generous in its presentation of illustrations.
A bilingual design, which allows Tongan and English to be read synonymously—not privileging one over the other.”
Judges’ Comments:
“An exceptionally special publication, where every production decision feels considered. From the striking and eye-catching tactile cloth cover with metallic foil and debossing to the restrained two-colour palette and premium paper stock, the book feels like a piece of art in itself. The bilingual structure creating a certain ‘density’ but is handled confidently by the designers. A disciplined grid, consistent colour system, thoughtful image treatment and refined typography result in a publication that feels both bold and beautiful. The unconventional decision to put the title on the back cover adds another dimension of surprise, which encourages the reader to explore the book.”
